We are very fortunate Emily has been our daughter S's nurse several times in her almost five week stay for brain trauma. Today is Emily's third day in a row, so we feel we know her well. She has been clear and patient in explaining situations and procedures to us.
More important, she communicates clearly to S what is going on and why it is necessary or appropriate. And she shows understanding of S's fear, frustration, and anxiety and addresses them with unfailing good cheer and buoyancy. All this is the more remarkable because S cannot yet talk and even so, Emily can figure out what it is that is distressing S, and the way to address it. Emily is glad to encourage S to complain because she so plainly empathizes with S.
Whenever we think of what nursing can mean for the hurt and distressed and of what compassion can mean at the hands of a skilled professional, Emily will always come to mind. We are most grateful for all she does for S and for us, and especially for building S's confidence that she is steadily improving.